Help with Buying - 2015 LC w/ 29K miles or 2017 w/ 60K ?

[El Skywalker]

Then I don't understand your earlier comment... the vehicle in question has 29k miles and is 2015. And should be compared to similar examples on the market to determine the current market value.

Have a good weekend man.

 

[bloc]

I concur, the mechanical wear difference between 30 and 60 on these vehicles is effectively zero.

There may be more user wear.. lost skittles and bolster wear, but that has much more to do with how the respective owners treated them than any underlying design quality.

 

[NCTroutHunter]

Wow guys - incredible feedback. It’s too bad no one has any strong opinions around here .

I learned a lot. I think I’d pull the trigger on the 2015 if it was a better deal, say $55K or lower. I will probably keep this vehicle for a long time, so it makes sense to get the most vehicle my budget will allow.

I didn’t expect this to be such a lively and thorough conversation. I really appreciate everyone chiming in.

 

[NCTroutHunter]

I've had three GX's so we are certainly fans and they finally got it right with the '22-23's. The GX makes for a better around town daily, it's peppier from 0-40, easier to park, feels more nimble/sportier. Fit and finish is still full on Lexus however, it's not on par with the LX but it's not expected to be given the price point differences. We had a 2019 LX570 prior to the LC and we liked everything about it except for the flashier styling and the mouse pad controls, the announcement of the Cruiser going away pushed us to trade the LX for the LC so that we could get one before they were gone. For long distance travel, vacations, towing, the Cruiser gets the nod.

Oddly enough there isn't a huge difference in interior space between the GX and LC but it is noticeable where it matters. I know you said the GX wouldn't be your family hauler but it becomes a bit tight beyond four full-size occupants. Our Cruiser is likely to never leave our stable where we run through a new GX every few years. That might change though if the next gen GX isn't everything we hope it'll be. If we had gotten a Blackline in Nori Green or Nightfall Mica (blue) we would be much more likely to keep it for the long haul, IMHO the Blackline is the way to go if you're buying a new GX.

Deciding whether or not the GX can get it done for your needs is up to you but even with how much we like the GX if I could only have one the Cruiser gets the nod every single time.

@Tex68w Thanks for the comparison breakdown. That’s pretty much how I’ve been looking at it. Another big difference is a brand new GX blackline is $66K OTD versus a 7 year old LC with a lot more miles for the same price. Both will obviously go forever. It’s really matter of what you need the vehicle for, what you want to spend, how much you appreciate the LC legacy, etc. I like the GX because it looks way less like a soccer mom ride and more like a proper SUV should look and feel. I’m torn.

 

[bloc]

@Tex68w Thanks for the comparison breakdown. That’s pretty much how I’ve been looking at it. Another big difference is a brand new GX blackline is $66K OTD versus a 7 year old LC with a lot more miles for the same price. Both will obviously go forever. It’s really matter of what you need the vehicle for, what you want to spend, how much you appreciate the LC legacy, etc. I like the GX because it looks way less like a soccer mom ride and more like a proper SUV should look and feel. I’m torn.

The GX will go forever, the Cruiser… forever-ever.

Really, when you get under them there are some dramatic differences in robustness. Not that any of us necessarily “need” that, but that also translates to simply being impossible to kill.

I get being torn though.. like many comparing LX and LC.

 

[Tex68w]

They are definitely on different levels, no way one can compare a GX directly to a 200 series. I understand being torn between the two, glad to have both.

 

[Madtiger]

They are definitely on different levels, no way one can compare a GX directly to a 200 series. I understand being torn between the two, glad to have both.

I may join that 200 + GX group soon…wife likes it…we are gonna look at 2023 GX Premium next week.

 

[stonepa]

Lets face it - unless you plan to keep the vehicle for ever either one will get the job done with reliable and durable comfort.

 

[bloc]

Lets face it - unless you plan to keep the vehicle for ever either one will get the job done with reliable and durable comfort.

This exactly.

 

[Blackford Oakes]

Wow guys - incredible feedback. It’s too bad no one has any strong opinions around here .

I learned a lot. I think I’d pull the trigger on the 2015 if it was a better deal, say $55K or lower. I will probably keep this vehicle for a long time, so it makes sense to get the most vehicle my budget will allow.

I didn’t expect this to be such a lively and thorough conversation. I really appreciate everyone chiming in.

I wish you lived a little closer to Georgia and I would invite you to drive my 2013 and 2016 side by side.

If I were in your position, I would go for the 2015. The 6 speed transmission is much peppier than the 8 speed and the pre-facelift trucks have more than enough interior creature comforts.

 

[NCTroutHunter]

I wish you lived a little closer to Georgia and I would invite you to drive my 2013 and 2016 side by side.

If I were in your position, I would go for the 2015. The 6 speed transmission is much peppier than the 8 speed and the pre-facelift trucks have more than enough interior creature comforts.

Thanks - that’s a very kind offer. The 2015 sold the next day so it’s a moot point for now. I appreciate your feedback. The hunt continues. Let me know if you decide to offload one of yours.

 

[2021 LC200]

For me bottomline between two vehicles with similar mileage (30k and 60k is similar low for a Land Cruiser) is all of the following. In other words is everything else right purchasing a used vehicle:
- One or multi owner
- Overall exterior (lot of paint chips and/or dents) and interior condition (leather marks, scratches, dash, steerwheel leather etc)
- Maintenance records
- Frame rust (vehicles from Southern states or California better then salt belt states...) and KDSS condition (the infamous 2 x bolts and 3x turns lose, allowing to work on the suspension)
- Check headlight and windshield for smoothness (this is an indicator the vehicle indeed has the mileage it says it has and there is not something funky going on - I know unlikely in our system of state inspections etc, however it never hurts to confirm things make sense)
- How they drive? Straight or pulling? Same when breaking. Any unusual noise from engine or otherwise.
- Smoothness of gearbox shift changes.
- Turning on Low 4 and Central Diff Lock. Check Crawl Control.
- Check all switches and heating & AC and radio work

I do not think the 6 speed is a reason not to got for 2016+

I have mine always in ECT PWR and the gear box shifts great. MPG is more a function of how heavy your right foot is then using ECT PWR or not.

 

[njbrain]

Super low mileage vehicles scare me. They usually will have gremlins come to the surface once you start driving them. Chances of a water pump failure are high. Seals do not get lubricated properly and will start to leak when used regularly. Depending on how it was stored it could be heavily rusted underneath.

 

[Bendcruiser]

Interestingly I own a 2015 with 62,000 miles. I maintain it as required and in 7 years all it's needed is recently a new battery and the belt tensioner was replaced due to high-pitched squealing, replaced the serpentine belt at that time as well. I'm on my second set of BFG KO 2's and have no other issues to report. As for looks I like both models, just personal taste I suppose?

 

[NCTroutHunter]

Interestingly I own a 2015 with 62,000 miles. I maintain it as required and in 7 years all it's needed is recently a new battery and the belt tensioner was replaced due to high-pitched squealing, replaced the serpentine belt at that time as well. I'm on my second set of BFG KO 2's and have no other issues to report. As for looks I like both models, just personal taste I suppose?

Sounds like it’s time to sell it to a nice guy from North Carolina

 

[Bendcruiser]

Sounds like it’s time to sell it to a nice guy from North Carolina

Sell my Cruiser and what would I buy?

 

[NCTroutHunter]

Sell my Cruiser and what would I buy?

2021 heritage?